Jets' Kendall not a happy camper

Hempstead — Eric Mangini's second training camp as coach of the Jets opened with a disgruntled veteran on the field and the team's first-round pick unsigned.

The Associated Press

Hempstead — Eric Mangini's second training camp as coach of the Jets opened with a disgruntled veteran on the field and the team's first-round pick unsigned.

Known for running a tough camp, Mangini already has some controversy to deal with.

"I'm sure they look forward to (camp)," a noticeably thinner Mangini said with a grin yesterday after the morning practice. "Most kids like to go to camp and this is just our adult version of camp. We probably won't be telling any ghost stories, but I think it'll be a good time for everybody."

Well, not quite. Left guard Pete Kendall, who asked the Jets months ago to trade or release him because of a bitter contract dispute, was with the team at practice, but was far from happy.

Then again, at least he was there. Cornerback Darrelle Revis, the No. 14 overall pick in April, became the Jets' first unsigned first-round no-show for the start of training camp since linebacker James Farrior in 1997.

"We're going to focus on the guys that are here," Mangini said. "And we're going to focus on those guys and get them better, and collectively get better."

Kendall, an offensive co-captain who turned 34 earlier this month, is looking for a $1 million raise on his $1.7 million salary, but the Jets haven't budged.

Instead of staying away from camp, Kendall thought it made more financial sense to report because he would lose $14,000 each day he's absent. So, as he did during minicamp, he kneeled on the turf by himself at times and watched the first-team offense go through drills.

"To me, a holdout's a negotiation tactic," he said. "There's no negotiation, so at this point, it doesn't make a lot of sense for me to start giving money back."

Instead, Kendall again recently requested that the Jets trade or release him.

"I don't understand why I'm still here," he said. "I've clearly expressed that I don't want to be here. I'm running with the second team. It's seemingly devolved into a personal thing. I show up and I'm assigned to the rookie dorm. I don't get that."

After speaking with Mangini and general manager Mike Tannenbaum, Kendall had his living quarters changed. Just a big mistake, Mangini said.

"There's no conspiracy theory here," Mangini deadpanned. "There's no grassy knoll. I didn't send out secret agents. It was a mix-up. It was fixed. It's been changed."